hardwood · Diospyros crassiflora
Gaboon Ebony wood properties
Also known as: african ebony, nigerian ebony, cameroon ebony.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Diospyros crassiflora |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 2,449,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.96 |
| Density (approx) | 60 lb/ft³ (5.0 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 3,080 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 11.2% / 8.3% |
| Region | Equatorial West Africa |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Gaboon Ebony weighs about 20.0 lb (roughly 60 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 3,080 lbf is harder than about 95% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: musical instrument parts, piano keys, pool cues, carving, small specialty items.
Durability: Very durable, holding off both termites and various insects.
Workability: Extreme density makes machining hard; its oiliness complicates gluing, but it buffs to a brilliant sheen.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Gaboon Ebony:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). CT/CR omitted: gaboon ebony is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.